Kevin O'Connell
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ESPN's Bill Barnell suggested Kevin O'Connell and the Minnesota Vikings could pursue a reunion with veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard.
The Minnesota Vikings face familiar issues in the secondary as the NFL draft approaches just over two weeks from now, and the team is positioned to select a top performer out from under its NFC North Division rival the Chicago Bears at No. 18 overall.
Multiple mock drafts in recent days have projected the Bears selecting safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren with the 25th overall pick in Round 1. However, ESPN’s Peter Schrager predicted on Tuesday, April 7 that the Vikings will break from previous estimations and draft the Toledo safety seven spots earlier instead of going with Dillon Thieneman of Oregon.
Schrager’s mock was informed by what the prominent insider has heard from teams leading up to the draft, which begins on April 23.
“McNeil-Warren is a tall, rangy safety who plays with high energy and is vocal in the defensive backfield,” Schrager wrote. “We’re still not sure if Harrison Smith will be back at 37 years old, but McNeil-Warren can be the torchbearer once Smith does choose to call it a career. He had five picks over the past three seasons.”
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Could Prove Defensive Playmaker for Already Solid Vikings Unit
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
GettyToldeo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
McNeil-Warren saw 48 games of action over four years at the collegiate level. He produced 214 tackles, including 11 for loss, as well as 13 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles, five interceptions and a defensive touchdown.
He is larger than the average safety, measuring at six-feet, three and a half-inches tall. McNeil-Warren weighed in at 201 pounds at the NFL combine in February, where he registered a 4.52-second 40-yard dash as well as a 35.5-inch vertical leap.
At 22 years old with depth of experience, McNeil-Warren is a turnover producer who could step in and start immediately for what was the No. 3 overall defense in the league last year in Minnesota.
Vikings Candidates to Trade for Giants Defensive Tackle Dexter Lawrence
Dexter Lawrence
GettyNew York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
McNeil-Warren is moving up draft boards given his experience and takeaway prowess, and the Vikings’ primary needs in the secondary and the interior of the defensive line render Minnesota a strong candidate for his services.
The Vikings could also look at a cornerback with the No. 18 pick, though the safety value is likely stronger in that spot. The franchise’s need at defensive tackle renders it a candidate to trade for New York Giants star Dexter Lawrence, who is looking to leave that franchise after failed negotiations to restructure his $87.5 million deal, which runs through 2027.
Lawrence’s price is likely to fall somewhere between a first-round pick and a combination of second-round and fifth-round assets in the upcoming draft.
Minnesota owns pick Nos. 49 and 163 in Rounds 2 and 5, respectively, which could be worth the acquisition of Lawrence if the Vikings believe they can position themselves as contenders for both the NFC North Division and the conference following a 9-8 campaign in 2025.
Much of that may depend on how well quarterback Kyler Murray — an undersized player at the position, but also a two-time Pro Bowler — can fit in with the more traditional under-center offense of head coach Kevin O’Connell.